INS Kalvari is the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines handed over by shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Limited

Prime Minister Narendra Modi today 14 Dec., 17 commissioned the INS Kalvari
submarine saying it will play a big part in combating terrorism which the
nation's enemies are using to fight a "proxy war".

"We are beginning a new journey with commissioning of INS Kalvari. May
sea gods keep you strong and safe," said the PM.

The Scorpene-class submarine is named Kalvari, which means tiger shark, a
deadly deep-sea predator. As the PM dedicated it to the nation, he also spoke
at length about India's security, but also about stability in the region and
India's global responsibilities.

"I'm calling this submarine by a special name that I've coined: SAGAR,
which stands for 'security and growth for all in the region'...Countries around
the world want to work with India in its endeavour for peace and
stability," said the PM.

The submarine will play a crucial role in India's security and indeed in
stability for the region and the world at large, said the PM. "India's
humanitarian approach to diplomacy and national security is something that
makes us special in the world. A safe India is good not just for us, but for
the whole of humanity," said the PM.

Kalvari, the first of the six Scorpene-class submarines, was handed over by
shipbuilder Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL), and commissioned into the Navy by the
PM in Mumbai.

The submarine boasts superior stealth features such as advanced acoustic
silencing techniques, low radiated noise levels, hydro-dynamically optimised
shape and the ability to launch a crippling attack on the enemy using
precision-guided weapons, said MDL.

"Our government's slogan 'sabka saath sabka vikas' holds goods for
such development by land, sea and air. Whether its terrorists coming via ocean,
whether it's piracy on the high seas or illegal fishing, India is playing a big
role in combatting these challenges"" said the PM, as he explained
the submarine's features.

INS Kalvari can reach a speed of 20 knots, it has sea-skimming SM-39 Exocet
missiles and heavy-weight wire-guided surface and is armed with underwater
target torpedoes.

PM Modi also spoke of how the submarine will help India meet its global
responsibilities. By considering the world our family, India is meeting its
global responsibilities. India has become the first responder for all nations
friendly to is in their time of need," he said.

The PM said the submarine is a successful example of a 'Made-In-India'
project and also a good model for international collaboration. The
diesel-electric submarine is designed by French naval defence and energy
company DCNS.

"INS Kalvari is a fine example of the success of 'Made-In-India'
project and is also a testimony to growing strategic partnership between India
and France," PM Modi said. On the occasion, PM Modi also paid tribute to
all those who have defended India.

I take
this opportunity to express gratitude towards all those who laid their lives to
protect our nation. The 125 crore people of India salute all the paramilitary
forces, police forces, defense forces, and all those visible and invisible
agencies who are working for our safety," said the PM.

The new 1,565-tonne submarine is to be followed by five of her Scorpene
sisters under the Rs 23,652 crore "Project-75" underway at Mazagon
Docks in collaboration with France.

Put to sea for the first time on May 1, 2016, Kalvari has since undergone a
comprehensive trial schedule to validate her capability to float, move and
fight. The submarine has an overall length of 67.5 metre and a height of about
12.3 metres. The hull form, fin and hydroplanes are specifically designed to
produce minimum underwater resistance.

The Scorpene project, of course, has faced huge time and cost overruns
after the contract with French shipbuilder DCNS (the Naval Group) was inked way
back in October 2005.

INS Kalvari, for instance, was to be ready by 2012, with the other five
coming by 2017. Now, the second one INS Khanderi will be commissioned by
mid-2018, with the third INS Karanj following by early-2019. All the six will
be inducted by 2020-2021 now..

The submarine, which has a speed of 20 knots, is equipped with sea-skimming
SM-39 Exocet missiles and heavy-weight wire-guided surface and underwater
target torpedoes. "The submarine has superior stealth and the ability to
launch a crippling attack on the enemy using precision-guided weapons.